Traverse City, MI Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Traverse City Safe?
Traverse City has a crime rate that is 47% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 476.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Old Town earn an A+ safety grade, while Oak Park rates A. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Traverse City.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 476
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
45% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 78
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
30% lower than national average
Traverse City Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
34 | -66% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Traverse City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Where Is It Safe in Traverse City?
Safety varies dramatically across Traverse City's 10+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 10Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 6Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 10 neighborhoods in Traverse City
All Traverse City Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Town | A+ | 78 |
| 2 | Central | A+ | 123 |
| 3 | Kids Creek | A+ | 82 |
| 4 | Slabtown | A+ | 125 |
| 5 | Northwestern Michigan College | A+ | 80 |
| 6 | Downtown | A | 153 |
| 7 | Boardman | A | 133 |
| 8 | Traverse Heights | A | 145 |
| 9 | Oak Park | A | 149 |
| 10 | Traverse City Airport Industrial Park | A | 193 |
Traverse City Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Traverse City zip codes.
Traverse City Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Traverse City, MI?
Traverse City, MI has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 47% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 476 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 78 chance for property crime. Traverse City has lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Traverse City, MI safe to live in?
Traverse City is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. Approximately 100% of the city's 10 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Old Town is one of the safest areas, while Oak Park has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Traverse City is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Traverse City?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Traverse City are Old Town, Central, Kids Creek, Slabtown, and Northwestern Michigan College. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Traverse City?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Traverse City include Oak Park, Traverse Heights, Downtown, Kids Creek, and Central. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Traverse City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Traverse City is 210.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 45% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 476 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.7 per 100K (45% below average); aggravated assault at 166.2 per 100K (38% below average); robbery at 24.9 per 100K (66% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Traverse City?
The estimated property crime rate in Traverse City is 1,279.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 30% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 78 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 130.2 per 100K (52% below average); larceny/theft at 943.2 per 100K (33% below average); vehicle theft at 206.0 per 100K (35% below average).
How does Traverse City crime compare to the national average?
Traverse City's overall crime rate is 47% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (33% below average), while robbery is 66% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Traverse City has lower crime than 87% of them.
Is Traverse City safe to visit?
Traverse City is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 30% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Old Town, Central, Kids Creek.
How does Traverse City crime compare to the rest of Michigan?
Michigan as a whole has crime that is 7% above the national average. Traverse City's crime rate is 47% below the national average, making it safer the typical Michigan city.
What type of crime is most common in Traverse City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Traverse City, with an estimated rate of 943.2 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 33% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,279 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (210 per 100K) in Traverse City, which is consistent with national trends.